Beta IGH3, a TGF-beta inducible gene, is overexpressed in lung cancer.

Abstract

Background: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is capable of affecting the proliferation of many cell types. βIGH3, TGF-β inducible gene, was originally isolated from lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). We have hypothesized that βIGH3 mRNA levels could be predictors of the development and invasion of lung cancer. Methods: The study included 71 lung cancer cases. The βIGH3 mRNA levels were quantified by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using LightCycler. Results: The βIGH3 mRNA levels were elevated in tumor tissues from lung cancer (1.058 ± 1.212) compared with non-malignant lung tissues (0.304 ± 0.159) (p = 0.0001). No significant difference in βIGH3 mRNA levels was found among gender, age, pathological subtype and lymph node metastasis. The βIGH3 mRNA levels were elevated in tumor tissues from T4 lung cancer (1.425 ± 1.470) compared with those from T1 lung cancer (0.702 ± 0.655) (p = 0.05) and T2 lung cancer (0.736 ± 0.734) (p = 0.044). Conclusion: Using the LightCycler RT-PCR assay, the determination of βIGH3 mRNA level might provide a potential marker for the aggressiveness of lung cancer. However, further studies and a longer follow-up are needed to confirm the impact of βIGH3 on the biological behavior of the tumor.